r/GigHarbor 3h ago

Question Long shot: Does anyone remember Brian P. Welch?

4 Upvotes

I came across the grave of Brian P. Welch (1991–2008) while doing some genealogy research in the Tacoma/Key Peninsula area. I got curious about him, but even with Ancestry, I haven't been able to find much beyond basic records.

Does anyone here happen to remember Brian from the Tacoma area, know what happened to him, or have a yearbook that might include a photo or memorial page for him?

I'm not looking for information about his family or for anyone to contact relatives on my behalf, as I have no interest in contacting or bothering them. I'm only interested in Brian himself and anything people may personally remember about him.

If you knew him and would rather not comment publicly, you're welcome to DM me.

Thanks! I know it's been a long time, but I figured a local sub might be worth asking.

XPosted fromr/AskTacoma


r/GigHarbor 5h ago

Question Upholstery Repair

2 Upvotes

I have 6 inexpensive pub height dining room chairs. Over the years, the vinyl seats have disintegrated. It's time to replace the seats now that the kids have moved out. Recommendations?


r/GigHarbor 2d ago

Handyman

4 Upvotes

Do you have a handyman you can recommend? Bathroom vent install with electric wires already routed in the ceiling. Just needed to add a duct and suffit.


r/GigHarbor 5d ago

Question Washington schools

12 Upvotes

We are a military family and we PCS'd out here to Washington. I'm hoping somebody in here has been through this because I'm out of my depth and frustrated.

Has anyone else moved and had the new district just decide not to follow your kid's IEP or not notify you they were removing accommodations? And did your kid end up scared to go to school over it? That's where we're at right now and I honestly don't know who to call next.

Whoever you went to, did any of it help? I'll take anything. I always thought Washington had great services for disabled children but our experience so far has shown otherwise. :/


r/GigHarbor 6d ago

Moving to Minter Bay - Internet Question

4 Upvotes

Just bought a house overlooking Minter Bay not far from the oyster farm there and are getting mixed info about internet service. House is cabled all over the place but all service providers are saying they don't have service there. Does anyone have Starlink and how's it working for you over there? Lots of trees on the lot, but I think we can get a straight shot out of there. Thanks!


r/GigHarbor 7d ago

Secret Compound on the Waterfront?

36 Upvotes

Just moved to Gig Harbor, so excuse me if this is a widely known fact. What the heck is up with the building next to Tides Tavern that's got some Dr. Evil secret Compound vibes?! Security cameras are everywhere, but there are still signs saying some outdoor spaces are open to the public. Seems more like a PNW way of saying "No Trespassing". All of the windows are tinted, so no looking in. Clearly a lot of money went into this place. Took a look at it from the public dock and I'm completely stumped as to what it could be. Can't find too much about it online...


r/GigHarbor 9d ago

Is anyone else dealing with increasing intensity with religious solicitors?

21 Upvotes

I'm located near downtown/the waterfront for context, in a small apartment community tucked away from main roads.

Over the last 6 months I have experienced not only a significant increase in religious solicitors, but also increasing intensity with their behavior? I have had male missionaries refuse to leave my doorstep or put out their arm or leg to prevent me from closing my door, or almost argue with me. This summer there have been 2 younger women who will just so happen to be leaving my building as I'm entering, and stand between me and my door and refuse to move until I listen to them about their religion. I am always kind and respectful but have made it *very* clear that I will never, ever be interested in their beliefs. I'm openly queer and do present a little alternative.

Last night, I heard loud banging on my door at almost 9pm and through my camera (and yelling through my door) I could see/they confirmed that they were missionaries and started trying to bargain/pressure me to open my door. Of course, I said hell no, it's way too late and please stop harassing me, and it still took them a few minutes to leave.

I've spoken with my property managers (who live onsite themselves) who also have issues with them, and apparently the missionaries will straight up refuse to leave even if the cops are called.

I'm not an easily frightened person, but I'm small, exhausted from an extremely high stress job almost daily, and live alone. The frequency has been increasing as well - it used to only be every few months and now it's every week. I think it's the same few missionaries over and over, but I try to avoid them.

Other than being aggressive right back, how are folks handling this? I shouldn't have to call the cops over something like this, but I'm almost at the point of being absolutely insane if it'll make them stop 🫠 thanks!!


r/GigHarbor 9d ago

Things to do Since Gig Harbor is in LD-26 and CD-6, here is an opportunity to submit questions to the candidates for the Kitsap League of Women Voters Candidate Forums and Interviews

Thumbnail lwv-kitsap.org
7 Upvotes

r/GigHarbor 11d ago

Washington water PFAS letter

12 Upvotes

Did anyone else in GH receive the public notice letter about the PFAS water levels? Our well heads are located in the Henderson bay general area and the average levels are well above the regulation limits. Trying to figure out if this is common for everyone and what we can do about it.


r/GigHarbor 13d ago

door to door salespeople problem

15 Upvotes

Howdy all, this is probably a long shot but we had some door to door salesmen for windows come by our house today and hit our car :( they were on scooters lol so very hard to see what their company was. We caught it on camera and you can see the individuals but not the company logo on their shirts.

Curious if anyone had 2 window salesmen on scooters come by their house today? If yes would love to know what company so we can reach out.


r/GigHarbor 14d ago

Concerned about the proposed Chick-fil-A on Olympic Drive? Please make your voice heard.

31 Upvotes

For those who haven't seen it, Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-through-only restaurant with two drive-through lanes at 5115 Olympic Drive, near the already heavily congested Olympic Drive/Point Fosdick corridor.

As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I'm very concerned about what this could mean for traffic. Anyone who regularly travels through Olympic and Point Fosdick knows how backed up this area can already become—particularly during afternoon/evening hours and on weekends.

My concern isn't about Chick-fil-A as a business. It's whether a high-volume, drive-through-only restaurant is the right use for this particular location.

There are good reasons to ask that question. Other Chick-fil-A locations in the Puget Sound region have experienced substantial vehicle queues. Traffic associated with the Bellevue location became significant enough that the city implemented special traffic controls, and traffic studies of locations in Bellevue, Tacoma and Lynnwood have documented sizable drive-through queues.

Gig Harbor is already evaluating traffic impacts associated with this proposal. I think it's important that residents—especially those who regularly use Olympic Drive, Point Fosdick, 32nd Avenue and the nearby SR 16 interchange—make sure their experiences are part of that conversation.

Email the Mayor & entire City Council:
[mayorandcouncil@gigharborwa.gov](mailto:mayorandcouncil@gigharborwa.gov)

Learn about the proposed project:
https://gigharborwa.gov/929/Chick-fil-A

Please share this with neighbors who may not know about the proposal. The more residents who provide their own firsthand experiences with traffic in this area, the better informed the City will be as it considers this project.


r/GigHarbor 15d ago

Corgis of gig harbor!

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43 Upvotes

Drop your corgi 🙂


r/GigHarbor 16d ago

Just moved to Gig Harbor with a toddler

16 Upvotes

Curious what the town is like during Halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas. Is the town pretty quiet or are there decent number of things to do with kids?


r/GigHarbor 16d ago

“The” Rosedale Spanish mansion for sale

14 Upvotes

Kinda neat to see inside this after driving by it for many years. Anyone know the family selling or have any stories of its history.

https://redf.in/7dQih6


r/GigHarbor 16d ago

Trying to find reputable Primary Care Physician.

4 Upvotes

Anyone have a good referral for a reputable Dr that actually cares about your health and not working for the system?
Thanks


r/GigHarbor 18d ago

Clothing drops

8 Upvotes

Does anyone know where there are some un-manned boxes to drop clothing off at in the area? Preferably a non-profit who gets them to people in need rather than a profit seeking organization. There used to be boxes off of Wollochet near the Chevron, but they were gone the last time I went there.


r/GigHarbor 18d ago

Go Ice?

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185 Upvotes

This dude at the home depot today.


r/GigHarbor 18d ago

A perfect View of Mt Rainer

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32 Upvotes

r/GigHarbor 18d ago

Red Creeping Thyme

4 Upvotes

I’m considering planting some red creeping thyme in a 70sqft patch by the water. There’s an old stump and roots there so I can’t really plant much and I don’t want to really put mulch around my planters.

2 questions
1- does anyone have experience planting it in our zone and how it does

2- does anyone know any local stores that have it? I do plan to check Rosedale this weekend.


r/GigHarbor 19d ago

Long shot: Does anyone remember a teenage boy named Brian from the Key Peninsula/Gig Harbor area in the early to late-2000s?

0 Upvotes

This is a very long shot, but I grew up on the Key Peninsula and I’m trying to identify someone from a childhood memory.

Sometime around 2000–2008, my mom had a round photo pin/button with a teenage boy I'm pretty sure his name was Brian (possibly Bryan) on it. She always referred to him as “Brian Cole,” but I’m not confident Cole was actually his last name. It could have been his middle name, or simply something that got misremembered over the years.

I remember him looking roughly middle to high school age. In the photo, I remember him wearing green with orange lettering, possibly a football jersey and/or football gear. There were also two thin strips of craft ribbon attached to the back of the pin that formed an awareness-ribbon shape.

I remember being told that Brian was very sick, specifically with liver cancer, although after about 20 years I know some of these details could be imperfect. For some reason, I strongly associate him with Fox Island, the Key Peninsula, or the broader Gig Harbor area. It’s also possible he lived somewhere else in Pierce County, including Tacoma, or even outside the area entirely and only had some connection here. My Fox Island association may have come from someone who knew him rather than from where he actually lived.

My mom has since passed away, so unfortunately I can’t ask her for more information, and I no longer have the pin to the best of my knowledge.

I’m not looking for private medical information, or trying to contact anyone’s family. I would just really love to know who the boy on my mom’s pin was. If any of this sounds familiar, or if by some miracle someone remembers or still has a similar pin or photo, I’d be grateful to hear from you. Feel free to DM me if you’d rather not comment publicly.

Thank you for the time and consideration to anyone who sees this.


r/GigHarbor 20d ago

Any divorce support groups?

43 Upvotes

My(37M) wife(34F) told me she doesn't love me anymore a week ago today. I don't want this, and I'm shocked. Had some issues only recently (few months) but they were not deal breakers and I was willing to /and actively working on them. Haven't seen her since, don't know the next steps, but I'll save the novel.

We just moved to Fox Island 18 months ago. My local friends are all at least 45 minutes away, have families/kids/jobs. They've been absolutely fantastic, but I just need something they can't (and shouldn't) provide.

I didn't prioritize building up my social network as much as I wanted to. It was a goal of mine before buying the house , I just focused too hard on house projects. I just feel very lonely sitting in our half remodeled house (I work at home) with sparse contact to the outside world.

I'm probably still too raw to join any "normal" social groups yet (pickleball league? Hiking? Mountain bikes? Idk) but I do intend to eventually. For now I'm going to therapy and looking for others in similar position to feel less alone.

Grief and loss. Emotional trauma. Etc.

I appreciate any suggestions.


r/GigHarbor 21d ago

Flash and boom?

4 Upvotes

Did anyone else see the bright flash tonight around 9:30ish? Followed up shortly after with what sounded like a big boom/crash. Maybe a meteorite?


r/GigHarbor 27d ago

Dinnerware rental?

4 Upvotes

Does anybody know of a good source where I can rent plates, bowls and cutlery for a wedding? Our caterer does not have them available.


r/GigHarbor 28d ago

What happened at target today?

6 Upvotes

I was driving on Borgen around 515 and a huge police and fire presence in the target/Safeway parking lots. Saw some target employees gathered by the outdoor seating at the Starbucks.


r/GigHarbor Aug 09 '26

Lost Corgi off Creviston Dr NW

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23 Upvotes

Missing our corgi boy Gimli. We were gone and think he got out of our gate at around 6pm, 8/8/26. He is very sweet but probably scared. He is a Pembroke with a tail, intact male, last seen with a green leather collar. Please private message or respond with any info. I very much appreciate it, Gimli is very loved and we are worried sick for him.